Crete
The 5-star CHC Athina Palace Resort & Spa is a hillside hotel in Crete, offering splendid views of the sparkling sea. This modern resort boasts three swimming pools outside, and an indoor heated option too. The hotel gives guests access to the private beach area with plenty of sun loungers. The main restaurant offers indoor and outdoor dining with panoramic views that more than match the sumptuous food on offer. Here, both international and local cuisine are served in a varied buffet style. The á la carte restaurant offers fine dining and there are three snack bars and a lobby bar onsite.
A number of water sports and aquatic activities are available at the hotel, while guests wanting to stay on land can play a variety of sports from tennis to volleyball. The on-site spa is a haven of calm and welcomes guests with a number of treatments. The CHC Athina Palace Resort & Spa is an ideal base to explore the rest of the island as it’s only a short drive from the charming village of Agia Pelagia and 20 minutes’ drive from Heraklion.
The largest of the Greek islands, Crete has maintained a strong sense of its cultural roots for almost 5,000 years. Various empires have made their impressions on the island over the years and today the place is a vibrant blend consisting of equal measures of history, culture, great food, lots of sun and heaps of opportunities for complete relaxation. Once the centre of Minoan culture, the island of Crete is today a haven for those with an interest in archaeology and classical history. On Crete, you can visit the Minoan palaces of Phaistos and Knossos, the ancient Roman city of Gortys, the Venetian castle at Rethymno and lots of other fantastic ruins that have their own mythological past. Explore the caves of Diktaion and Psychro, as well as the famous Gorge of Samaria. Travel back to the present day by returning to the main city of Heraklion and sample the local art at the Museum of Visual Arts. After a day of exploring, you can take a dip in the water or test your skills at various water sports that are available at most beaches and resorts along the Cretan coastline.
